Pissuthnes | |
---|---|
Πισσούθνης | |
Satrap of Lydia | |
In office 440 – 415 BC | |
Preceded by | Artaphernes |
Succeeded by | Tissaphernes |
Personal details | |
Born | 5th century BC |
Died | 5th century BC Susa, Lydia, Persian empire |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Achaemenid Empire |
Pissuthnes, also known as Pissouthnes, ( Old Persian: *Pišišyauθnaʰ; Ancient Greek: Πισσούθνης Pissoúthnēs) was an Achaemenid satrap of Lydia, which included Ionia, circa 440–415 BCE. His capital was Sardis. [1] [2] He was the son of Hystaspes, probably himself the son of Darius I, which shows his Persian origin and his membership of the Achaemenid dynasty. [3] He held the satrapy for over twenty years, and became extremely rich as a consequence. [4]
He helped the Samians in the Samian Revolt against Athens, and supported various oligarchical movements against Athens along the coast of Asia Minor. [5]
He revolted against the Persian king Darius II Nothus between 420-415 BCE. [6] He recruited Greek mercenaries under the generalship of Lycon for his campaigns. [7] Tissaphernes, who was sent by the King to suppress the revolt of Pissuthnes, managed to bribe Lycon, and then brought Pissuthnes to Susa where he was executed. [8] Tissaphernes became his successor as Satrap of Lydia. [9]
Pissuthnes had a natural son named Amorges, who continued the rebellion against the Persian king. [10]